'I am inspired by reality, not other films'

Santosh Mehta

Shubhashish Bhutani Shubhashish Bhutani represents the younger generation of Indian film makers who are creating ripples with their creativity. Just 30, and Bhutani's film Mukti Bhawan has already bagged the Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) at the 64th National Film Awards. The film based on relationships and family was the directorial debut in Bollywood for Bhutani, the director, actor and screenwriter.
Bhutani, who did undergraduate degree at the School of Visual Arts, New York, forced others to take note of his exceptional talent with his thesis film Kush, a 25-minute movie based on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was shortlisted for the 2014 Academy Award for Best Live Action. For both films taken together, he has already won over 25 international awards, which sounds incredible for someone so young.
Mention how could someone so young make a serious film like Mukti Bhawan and he reminds you that creativity has nothing to do with how old or young you may be. "I do not think for making a serious movie one has to be mature. I was just 21 when I wrote and directed Kush, my thesis film for the undergraduate degree at the School of Visual Arts, New York. Set against the backdrop of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the 25-minute film won me several laurels -- an award at the 2013 Venice International Film Festival, the Orizzonti Prize for Best

Short Film, and the National Film Award for Best Promotional Film (2013)."
That was the beginning of a no looking back of situation and what may become a long and distinguished career as a film maker. He went down to make his first feature film Mukti Bhavan which was released recently and won acclaims. The film has a cast of actors like Adil Hussain, Lalit Behl, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Palomi Ghosh, Navnindra Behl and Anil K Rastogi. It has already been shown at Busan International Film Festival, South Korea, Dubai International Film Festival, EFM Berlin Film Festival, Goteborg Film Festival, Sweden and Festival International Des Cinemas d'Asie De Vesoul, France.
The film was awarded Grand Prix Enricho Fulchignoni and UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the Venice International Film Festival and is also the recipient of the Asia Cinema Fund by BIFF 2016, South Korea. It received a 10-minute standing ovation at the world premiere at Venice Film Festival and is now poised for theatrical release in UK on 25th August.
Talking about Mukti Bhawan, Bhutani informs that there is a young character in the film who attracts a lot of young people and all kinds of people. Audiences laugh and smile at the dialogues as the movie has tones of light comedy interwoven in a serious theme. "You know, in reality old parents do not get along with their children. There is always a generation gap. Then parents suffer. This is a very sensitive issue and not related to any religion," says Bhutani.
Incidentally, Bhutani did not have to scout for a producer willing to invest in his debut project as he found a willing producer for his dream project in his father Sanjay Bhutani. "I think having my own producer helped. The film cost Rs 2.5 crore. Many times, even if you are a good director, the producers won't make your film. My father and I feel that when your own country honours you, your heart is filled with pride." Has he you ever got inspired by any other film? His curt reply may show the level of his maturity: "No, but I am inspired by the reality," Bhutani says, adding that he enjoys watching Hindi films.
Bhutani firmly believes that there can be no hard and fast rule for making films. For example, he says

Talking about Mukti Bhawan, Bhutani informs that there is a young character in the film who attracts a lot of young people and all kinds of people. Audiences laugh and smile at the dialogues as the movie has tones of light comedy interwoven in a serious theme. "You know, in reality old parents do not get along with their children. There is always a generation gap. Then parents suffer. This is a very sensitive issue and not related to any religion," says Bhutani.

film-makers can come from any background. "If a film-maker has good story then there is no rule for filmmaking. Everybody has their own way and if you have a passion for filmmaking, then it's great."
Bhutani explains that anyone can make a film since everybody's concept is different. Himself trained as a film maker, Bhutani says that it is not essential to be professionally trained to make a good movie. "There are many filmmakers who have not got professional training but still make excellent movies. At the same time, getting training in direction is a great idea. Hard work is a key to success. Now, if a story and direction is good then it does not matter whether it is a commercial film."
As Bhutani has received international acclaims in his brief but promising career so far, it is pertinent to ask the young film maker if attending international film festivals helps as a film director. Pat comes his response: "Of course yes, I think it helps film-makers a lot. It's a good platform to learn many basic things."
Ask him what was his experience like while making Mukti Bhawan and he turns serious. "We shot it in Banaras (Varanasi) over a month. We took boat-rides and saw Ganga Aarti in the evening. That was a wonderful experience. But it was not all about enjoyment. After seeing the cremation ground, we were in a sombre mood." He turns to another experience of working with a veteran actor like Adil Hussain and adds that he was very fortunate to work with Adil Hussain, as they both complement each other.
Bhutani is candid enough to admit that he has not tried to send out any message through Mukti Bhawan. According to him, he has made the film for his audience to see, understand and enjoy. He would rather prefer the audience to think and decide if there is any message that can make a difference to their lives.
Bhutani smartly avoids taking names and diverts the topic when asked to name some of the Hindi films which he liked. "There are many good Bollywood films which attract me. However, it is difficult to name them. As a film-maker, I would love to see good movies from all countries." Bhutani recalls an interesting incident, saying he liked Hindi movies so much during his school days at Woodstock, Mussoorie, that he would hide DVDs in his blanket. "I remember those days whenever I see a film," he recalls with a smile, adding that if he had not become a film director, then he would be a film editor. "I love travelling to places, in fact I'm passionate about going to new places. I love reading books. There are many good Hindi writers but I read only English writers," says Bhutani as we conclude an extended interview.



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Bhutani, who did undergraduate degree at the School of Visual Arts, New York, forced others to take note of his exceptional talent with his thesis film Kush, a 25-minute movie based on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was shortlisted for the 2014 Academy Award for Best Live Action. For both films taken together, he has already won over 25 international awards, which sounds incredible for someone so young. Mention how could someone so young make a serious film like Mukti Bhawan and he reminds you that creativity has nothing to do with how old or young you may be. "I do not think for making a serious movie one has to be mature. I was just 21 when I wrote and directed Kush, my thesis film for the undergraduate degree at the School of Visual Arts, New York. Set against the backdrop of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the 25-minute film won me several laurels -- an award at the 2013 Venice International Film Festival, the Orizzonti Prize for Best Short Film, and the National Film Award for Best Promotional Film (2013)." That was the beginning of a no looking back of situation and what may become a long and distinguished career as a film maker. He went down to make his first feature film Mukti Bhavan which was released recently and won acclaims. The film has a cast of actors like Adil Hussain, Lalit Behl, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Palomi Ghosh, Navnindra Behl and Anil K Rastogi. It has already been shown at Busan International Film Festival, South Korea, Dubai International Film Festival, EFM Berlin Film Festival, Goteborg Film Festival, Sweden and Festival International Des Cinemas d'Asie De Vesoul, France. The film was awarded Grand Prix Enricho Fulchignoni and UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the Venice International Film Festival and is also the recipient of the Asia Cinema Fund by BIFF 2016, South Korea. It received a 10-minute standing ovation at the world premiere at Venice Film Festival and is now poised for theatrical release in UK on 25th August. Talking about Mukti Bhawan, Bhutani informs that there is a young character in the film who attracts a lot of young people and all kinds of people. Audiences laugh and smile at the dialogues as the movie has tones of light comedy interwoven in a serious theme. "You know, in reality old parents do not get along with their children. There is always a generation gap. Then parents suffer. This is a very sensitive issue and not related to any religion," says Bhutani. Incidentally, Bhutani did not have to scout for a producer willing to invest in his debut project as he found a willing producer for his dream project in his father Sanjay Bhutani. "I think having my own producer helped. The film cost Rs 2.5 crore. Many times, even if you are a good director, the producers won't make your film. My father and I feel that when your own country honours you, your heart is filled with pride." Has he you ever got inspired by any other film? His curt reply may show the level of his maturity: "No, but I am inspired by the reality," Bhutani says, adding that he enjoys watching Hindi films. Bhutani firmly believes that there can be no hard and fast rule for making films. For example, he says Talking about Mukti Bhawan, Bhutani informs that there is a young character in the film who attracts a lot of young people and all kinds of people. Audiences laugh and smile at the dialogues as the movie has tones of light comedy interwoven in a serious theme. "You know, in reality old parents do not get along with their children. There is always a generation gap. Then parents suffer. This is a very sensitive issue and not related to any religion," says Bhutani. film-makers can come from any background. "If a film-maker has good story then there is no rule for filmmaking. Everybody has their own way and if you have a passion for filmmaking, then it's great." Bhutani explains that anyone can make a film since everybody's concept is different. Himself trained as a film maker, Bhutani says that it is not essential to be professionally trained to make a good movie. "There are many filmmakers who have not got professional training but still make excellent movies. At the same time, getting training in direction is a great idea. Hard work is a key to success. Now, if a story and direction is good then it does not matter whether it is a commercial film." As Bhutani has received international acclaims in his brief but promising career so far, it is pertinent to ask the young film maker if attending international film festivals helps as a film director. Pat comes his response: "Of course yes, I think it helps film-makers a lot. It's a good platform to learn many basic things." Ask him what was his experience like while making Mukti Bhawan and he turns serious. "We shot it in Banaras (Varanasi) over a month. We took boat-rides and saw Ganga Aarti in the evening. That was a wonderful experience. But it was not all about enjoyment. After seeing the cremation ground, we were in a sombre mood." He turns to another experience of working with a veteran actor like Adil Hussain and adds that he was very fortunate to work with Adil Hussain, as they both complement each other. Bhutani is candid enough to admit that he has not tried to send out any message through Mukti Bhawan. According to him, he has made the film for his audience to see, understand and enjoy. He would rather prefer the audience to think and decide if there is any message that can make a difference to their lives. Bhutani smartly avoids taking names and diverts the topic when asked to name some of the Hindi films which he liked. "There are many good Bollywood films which attract me. However, it is difficult to name them. As a film-maker, I would love to see good movies from all countries." Bhutani recalls an interesting incident, saying he liked Hindi movies so much during his school days at Woodstock, Mussoorie, that he would hide DVDs in his blanket. "I remember those days whenever I see a film," he recalls with a smile, adding that if he had not become a film director, then he would be a film editor. "I love travelling to places, in fact I'm passionate about going to new places. I love reading books. There are many good Hindi writers but I read only English writers," says Bhutani as we conclude an extended interview.